Thursday 8 January 2015 10:29

The Soil Association has hit back at suggestions that organic farming could be worse for the environment than conventional farming methods.

Climate expert Lord John Krebs told the Oxford Farming Conference on Wednesday (7 January) that organic farming might do more damage to the environment due to increased land required and carbon released from the soil.

The fact is organic farming is, in general, less productive per hectare than conventional farming and if we want to produce more organic food we need more land to do it, which releases more carbon into the atmosphere, he said.

See also: Only 100 harvests left in UK farm soils, scientists warn

Lord Krebs, who advises the government on climate change policy, argued that agricultural methods, such as minimum or no tillage, could help to protect and manage soils and store carbon to prevent the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

According to the UK government, agriculture is responsible for 9% of the UKs greenhouse gas emissions, from livestock such as cows, fertilisers and soils.

The government has committed to reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) by at least 80% by 2050.

But Lord Krebs warned agricultures proportion of GHGs could rise to 30% if no action is taken.

In his lecture, Climate Change Challenge or Opportunity, Lord Krebs also called for a smarter use of nitrogen fertiliser and said benefits from the environment could arise from the use GM crops.

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Soil Association bemused by organic farming criticism

Gurmeet Ram Rahim also stars in action movie MSG: Messenger of God in which he fights criminals, sings songs and douses himself in water in slow motion after a rugby game. Photo: AFP

Indian police said they are investigating a popular self-styled godman for allegedly encouraging 400 followers to undergo castrations at his ashram so they could get closer to god.

The country's top crime fighting agency has registered a case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, known as the "guru in bling" for his penchant for garish clothes and jewellery, over the operations in the country's north.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said Rahim is being investigated for criminal intimidation and causing grievous bodily hurt, after 400 castrations were allegedly carried out.

The guru, who heads the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation based in Haryana state, is already facing trial for conspiracy over the murder of a journalist in 2002 along with claims of sexually exploiting female followers.

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The latest case was filed after one of his devotees, Hans Raj Chauhan, lodged a complaint in court alleging he was manipulated into having the "painful" operation at the ashram.

"They were told that only those who get castrated will be able to meet god," Chauhan's lawyer, Navkiran Singh, said on Thursday.

"We will put all the facts of the case to the court and seek compensation for the victims."

He said doctors carried out the castrations over a period from 2000, but for years his client had been too scared to come forward.

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Indian 'guru in bling' allegedly encouraged the castration of 400 followers

Gurmeet Ram Rahim is already facing trial over the murder of a journalist And he has faced allegations that he sexually exploited female followers Latest investigation follows complaint from a former follower of his sect

By Afp and Damien Gayle for MailOnline

Published: 11:58 EST, 8 January 2015 | Updated: 12:37 EST, 8 January 2015

A guru who ordered 400 of his followers to undergo castrations he said would bring them closer to God is under investigation by police in India.

The country's top crime fighting agency registered a case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim - known as the 'guru in bling' for his penchant for garish clothes and jewellery - over the operations at his ashram.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said Rahim is being investigated for criminal intimidation and causing grievous bodily hurt after an alleged 400 castrations were carried out.

'Guru in bling':Gurmeet Ram Rahim is being probed by India's Central Bureau of Investigation after a former follower alleged he ordered 400 men to submit to castrations he said would bring them closer to god

The guru, who heads the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation based in Haryana state, is already facing trial for conspiracy over the murder of a journalist in 2002, as well as with claims of sexually exploiting female followers.

The latest case was filed after one of his devotees, Hansraj Chauhan, lodged a complaint in court alleging he was manipulated into having the 'painful' operation at the ashram.

'They were told that only those who get castrated will be able to meet god,' Mr Chauhan's lawyer, Navkiran Singh, told AFP. 'We will put all the facts of the case to the court and seek compensation for the victims.'

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Gurmeet Ram Rahim who ordered 400 followers to be castrated investigated for GBH